Woman: Celebrity gave me genital herpes in Royal Oak

An anonymously filed lawsuit involving a much-talked-about disease has surfaced in federal court in Detroit, where an unnamed woman is suing an unnamed celebrity from California for allegedly giving her genital herpes while having sex with her multiple times in Royal Oak last summer.

Why the secrecy?

"This complaint is brought anonymously due to the social stigma attached to the damages as well as the celebrity of the defendant," according tothe lawsuit, which seeks at least $75,000 in damages.

The lawsuit does not say whether the celebrity is an actor, musician, athlete or politician — only that he is a citizen of California, and that he had a residence of some sort in Royal Oak in July.

The plaintiff, who is a Michigan resident but currently is in New York, claims the unnamed celebrity has permanently scarred her physically, emotionally and psychologically by failing to warn her that he was infected with genital herpes, and "by failing to altogether avoid sexual contact" with her. Her lawsuit also alleges that the defendant "knew or should have known" that he was infected with Herpes Simplex Virus 2.

According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff had repeated sexual encounters with the defendant in July, primarily at his residence in Royal Oak, and "did not and has not had any sexual relations with anyone other than" him since then.

The lawsuit is claiming:

The infection is permanent and irreversible, forcing the woman to take medication for the disease for her entire life.

She will never be able to have a child through normal vaginal delivery because if she has an outbreak the child can contract the disease during pregnancy.

She fears she may never get married or have a long-term relationship because of the stigma of the disease.

"She will be forever branded with the social stigma of this disease," the lawsuit states, adding she will have repeated outbreaks throughout her lifetime.

The plaintiff's attorney did not return calls for comment.

According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, about 20% of sexually active adults in the U.S. carry Herpes Simplex Virus 2, which is sexually transmitted. Those who are more likely to get it are:

Female.

Have had many sex partners.

Had sex for the first time at a young age.

Have (or had) another sexually transmitted infection.

Have a weakened immune system due to a disease or medicine.

HSV-2 — or genital herpes — are not to be confused with Herpes Simplex Virus 1, or oral herpes. According to the AAD, most people get herpes simplex type 1 as an infant or child. This virus can be spread by skin-to-skin contact with an adult who carries the virus. A kiss, eating from the same utensil, or sharing a towel can spread the virus. An adult does not have to have sores to spread the virus. And a child can get this virus from an infected adult.